It's not just Florida: the South Atlantic region leads in total pickleball courts

Adam Forziati

Director of Content

Last Edited

Dec 06 2024

Why the South Atlantic Dominates

The region offers mild winters and sunny skies, and as any pickleball fan can tell you, far more people play pickleball outdoors than indoors.

This climate advantage has historically boosted pickleball hubs like Florida, and now other states in the region are catching on.

Across the South Atlantic, municipalities and private developers are pouring resources into new facilities, from massive pickleball complexes to neighborhood courts.

It’s a direct response to the skyrocketing demand for courts as participation in the sport jumped 51.8% nationwide last year.

Compare that to the Mountain region—home to hotspots like Arizona and Utah—which saw its court coverage decline relative to participation growth. While states like Colorado are adding courts, they’re struggling to keep pace with the surge of new players flooding the game.

Florida's influence seems to have a ripple effect. Neighboring states are creating robust pickleball ecosystems of their own.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

To put the South Atlantic’s dominance into perspective, consider the national average: 2.3 dedicated courts per 1,000 players. While this figure held steady year-over-year, the South Atlantic smashed it with its sheer volume of courts.

With more infrastructure in place, the region is primed to continue outpacing the competition.

Regions like the Pacific (3,865 courts) and Mid-Atlantic (2,595 courts) are expanding too, but they lack the scale and momentum seen in the South Atlantic.

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